Reflecting on Last Week’s Teen Choice Awards

Posted on: 08/11/08 1:51 PM | by Jonathan McKee

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Last Monday night the Teen Choice Awards was not only the cleanest it has been in four years, it was also the most viewed in four years, with 4.4 million viewers (as reported by Media Life). Blame it on Miley or the Jonas Bros (the popularity, or even how clean it was)… the results were a hit with teens, tweens and kids.

Last week I gave my annual report on the award show, a television event that I call a “must see” for youth workers. In that report, I remind youth workers that the show doesn’t provide the whole picture if you don’t know the “content behind the names.”

This year the TCAs provided keen insight as to what kids are watching and listening to. The show always is a great pop culture barometer, allowing teens (or anybody who logs onto their website) to vote as many times as they want on a huge collection of entertainment-based favorites including movies, TV shows, music, fashion, and more. Just as the show boasts, the TCAs lets teens share “their choice and their voice.”

Every year this two hour show reveals volumes to parents and youth workers about the content being thrown at our kids- we should pay attention. But understand, a glimpse of the list of winners doesn’t reveal a thing if you don’t know the content behind the names. That’s why I am filling this article with links so you can click to read more or even peek at videos and lyrics from some of these “role models.”

And that’s just what we did. We provided you with links about Miley, the Jonas Bros, Gossip Girl, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Katy Perry, Usher…. you name it. Click here for the entire article.

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A Little Encouragement from the Field

Posted on: 08/7/08 3:07 PM | by Jonathan McKee

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Most of you have seen the little contest we’re having on our website right now. Basically, we asked for feedback about my new book 10-Minute Talks. I’m really excited about this book. It’s a collection of story-driven talks and it comes with the free supplemental CD.

The contest is simple; everyone who submits their two cents gets their name put in a hat- and the name we draw wins the new iPhone 3G. Not too shabby.

I’ve been scanning some of the feedback we’ve been receiving so far- it’s pretty encouraging. Here’s a peek at a few:

I have just recently discovered Jonathan McKee and absolutely love his material!  I received his Ten Minute Talks through a pre-release order and took it to bed to review before I fell asleep!  I couldn’t put the book down!  When I finally did, and turned off the light, my head was swimming with “I could use that here….” and “Man that would really work with this….”  Needless to say, I’m hooked!   Jonathan uses REAL life to help kids make connections!  Getting them to be REAL with themselves and each other, encourages and entices them to get REAL with God!  Thank you for this valuable resources!  -Elise, Glen Allen, VA

A great must read, and must have for all of those devotional times for opening in events, pool parties, and other quick message times that all youth ministers have plenty of.  -Mark, Fort Worth, TX

I love and enjoy all the resources you provide, and this book is no different. I am learning that teaching through a good story is the best way to reach teenagers (adults too), and your book is full of powerful stories. I have used 2 of these talks already and the stories really grabs and holds my students attention and gets them thinking about the topic before they even realize they’re thinking about it; then when the scripture is read they are like “oh yeah… I get it.” The CD that is included in the book is amazing, because this allows me to adapt the talks to the way we do our Sunday morning program.  -Jeff, Chesapeake, VA

Here’s more about the contest if you’re interested: http://www.thesource4ym.com/iphonecontest/ … and more about the book here, including some feedback about it from a few names you’ll recognize.

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Expressos Gone Wild

Posted on: 08/6/08 2:27 PM | by Jonathan McKee

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This CNN report is sad and hilarious at the same time. I never would have even fathomed this: half naked ladies serving expressos.

The funny thing was the different responses that people from the town (Belfair, WA) had.

“I feel that we are looking at essentially a drive through strip joint. Not appropriate!”

“This is all a bunch of overreaction.”

Click here for the CNN video (it’s clean).

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Good for Miley

Posted on: 08/5/08 9:15 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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When Miley’s in the headlines… I’m always a little worried. Miley is a good clean girl, but she’s a teenager who’s grown up in the spotlight. That’s a tough gig. And she’s made her fair share of mistakes. Haven’t we all?

I’ve blogged about Miley’s ups and downs before, but today I’m compelled to share, Miley made me proud twice yesterday.

1. Miley didn’t fall into the trap of controversy by kissing the girl…

Miley might have had the opportunity to join the legacy of Madonna and Brittany on stage last night with Katy Perry. Media Life Magazine provides the details in their article about all the buzz:

Between that infamous Vanity Fair photo shoot and the suggestive pictures that have been floating around the internet, Miley Cyrus apparently feels she’s done enough to sex up her image this year.

The 15-year-old pop star, who hosts Fox’s “Teen Choice Awards” tonight at 8 p.m., turned down an offer from “I Kissed a Girl” singer Katy Perry to recreate the infamous Britney Spears-Madonna liplock from the “MTV Video Awards” a few years back.

Whew! We’ve had enough of Katy’s influence this year.

2. Miley brought good clean fun to last night’s Teen Choice Awards.

The Teen Choice Awards is not always an easy pill for parents to swallow ( a show that twice over the years has topped the Parents Television Council’s “Worst Family TV Show of the Week”). Last night, Miley was a breath of fresh air on the show.

Today I’ll provide all the details in my annual review of last night’s show in our Youth Culture Window article (posted tonight). But it was nice to have a host that not only avoided risque humor (like past hosts), but when winning her own award, gave a huge thanks to “the most important man in my life, who I love so so much, and thats Big Jesus Christ up there (pointing up).”

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The Ex

Posted on: 08/4/08 8:36 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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My wife was looking through a newspaper clothing ad (I can’t remember what store) the other day and started looking really closeley at one of their male models. Then she said, “Oh my gosh… that was my boyfriend in high school!”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t get caught up in the whole jealousy thang. Past is past. But I did find it pretty funny who this guy is. Lori dated him her senior year. He was a model back then too. We looked him up… he’s got a huge portfolio… many of them boasting his huge “300esque” abs. He seems to be doing pretty well for himself.

My kids were all curious to see the pictures of this guy. And, of course, my 10 year old asked the question: “What if Mommy would have married this guy?”

Which, of course, was quickly answered with, “Then you wouldn’t be here!”

But my son added, “Or I’d have really ripped abs!”

Nice.

Later, I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed one of my fat pictures from a few years ago at the beach (my wife and I recently both started a more vigorous working out plan and eating healthy… I lost 25 pounds… still working on it… sigh. But I have plenty of old “fat pictures” floating around) and made my own version of one of his magazine covers.  🙂 

Somehow… they weren’t impressed. 🙂

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